U.S. healthcare stocks expected to perform well in 2019

Michael Walter | | Radiology Business | Economics

U.S. healthcare stocks had a strong 2018, rising 4.7 percent overall, and experts say they should continue to do well in the new year.

According to a new report from Reuters, healthcare and utilities were the only two S&P 500 sectors to post positive returns in 2018. The healthcare sector’s “reasonable valuations, strong balance sheets and dividend payments among many companies” are listed in the report as reasons for its success. In addition, healthcare earnings are “less susceptible to economic cycles than other businesses.”

The report noted that the beginning of 2019 has been slow for healthcare stocks, and that it’s possible the 2020 election could eventually have a negative impact on the sector’s performance, but experts still expect it to perform well throughout the year.

Click below for the full story from Reuters.

U.S. healthcare stocks seen maintaining momentum after strong 2018

Michael Walter
Michael Walter, Managing Editor

Michael has more than 18 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.

Related Content

Radiologist rails against insurer’s refusal to cover key interventional service
Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliate rejects MRI contrast coverage, labeling it ‘investigational’
Radiology experts say state Medicaid rates must increase to improve imaging access
Hologic recalling breast care device after 252 injuries, slew of patient lawsuits
Congress reaches deal to partially blunt Medicare pay cut, ditches prior authorization reform
Whole-body MRI startup Prenuvo’s recent ‘milestone’ would mark $250M in revenue

Around the web

Health Imaging
Nearly $800,000 settlement offered to family of man who died during MRI exam

The patient, who was being cared for in the ICU, was not accompanied or monitored by nursing staff during his exam, despite being sedated.

Cardiovascular Business
Global shortage of nuclear imaging isotopes may be over

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

Cardiovascular Business
‘A huge win’: CMS significantly increases Medicare payments for cardiac CT

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.